The next step in an Design Thinking Approach is Define the Problem which I believe overlaps the analysis stage of the ADDIE model.

I often put this in writing to confirm with a subject matter expert (SME) what the training gap/need is, who the target audience is, who the key stakeholders are that can support this project and the aim of the learning solution. This document then keeps me and track throughout the design phase and I often refer back to it to confirm that the product is meeting a need.

Does anyone has any less formal ways of defining the problem and confirming this with the SME